Seven Cubs, Seven Fathers, Zero Days Off

Chapter 197: Chapter 195: City Lord Hutu

Shen Yue’s gaze remained fixed on Bai Chaosi. When she caught his eyes sweeping over her, a glance so faint it might have been her imagination, she narrowed her own.

But it was only for an instant.

Just as she was about to investigate further, he was already leading Xiao Ya toward the gate, step by step.

It was as if that glance had been nothing but her imagination.

Huang Ziyue pulled Shen Yue tightly into his arms, his gaze icily fixed on Bai Chaosi. He watched as the man, looking completely unfazed, led Xiao Ya right past them as if they weren’t even there.

Instinctively, his heart aching for her, he sheltered Shen Yue within his broad embrace, offering her his steadfast support.

Just then, the main gates to the City Lord Mansion slowly swung open. A group of attendants in green robes stood inside. From their very center, a man less than half an adult’s height walked out, his round belly jiggling. He had a guileless face, sharp fangs, and a pair of pointed gray ears.

His eyes narrowed into slits as he smiled, like a lazy cat. Cupping his hands in a salute toward Bai Chaosi, who stood before the gate, he exclaimed in amazement:

”Oh my! Are you truly Mr. Bai of the Snow Ridge Clan?”

Bai Chaosi, gentle and modest, bowed slightly in return:

”I am indeed. It is an honor, Hu Tu City Lord!”

Li City’s Lord, Hu Tu, instantly widened his eyes, finding it simply incredible:

”I never would have imagined! Not only has the Flood Dragon Clan arrived in my Li City these past few days, but now we are also graced by the presence of the Bai Family from the Snow Ridge Clan!”

”Everyone says the members of the White Fox Clan are born as beautiful as Immortals. Seeing you now, Mr. Bai, you are truly just as the legends of the Snow Ridge Fox Clan describe—divinely handsome!”

According to legend, the Nine-tailed Fox Clan was the noblest among the Fox Clan. Currently, there were only two high-ranking, pure-blooded branches left: the Fire Fox Clan of the Ye Country’s Royal Family, and the reclusive Nine-tailed White Fox Clan of Snow Ridge.

And it was said that the Nine-tailed White Foxes were born with extraordinary looks, each one peerless.

They were natural-born nobles, untouched by the dust of the mortal world.

And Bai Chaosi, standing before them now, was the very picture of those legends—incomparably noble, like an immortal gracing the mortal realm.

Hu Tu stared at Bai Chaosi as if he were dumbstruck.

And in doing so, he had voiced the thoughts of everyone at the gate.

They had truly never seen such a beautiful man. He was so beautiful they dared not look at him directly, as if a second glance would be a desecration.

Bai Chaosi offered a faint smile:

”Hu City Lord, you flatter me. My aptitude is mediocre; I am but one of the most ordinary members of the Snow Ridge Clan!”

Hu Tu chuckled, his expression endearingly guileless:

”Not at all! Although the Snow Ridge Fox Clan has not appeared in the world for many years, we all know that every member of the White Fox Clan is extraordinary!”

”Besides, in your written reply, you mentioned your surname is Bai. I assume you must have some connection to the Snow Master’s Bai Family of Snow Ridge. I wonder... is the world-renowned Young Master of the White Foxes, the famous Young Master Chaoxi, doing well these days?”

Hearing this, Xiao Ya, who was standing beside him, widened her eyes. ’Young Master Chaoxi?’

’Isn’t that Bai Chaosi’s name!’

’Could it be that this incomparably noble man beside her was the legendary Young Master of the White Fox Clan?’

’Was his status truly that noble?’

She had thought he was a noble, but she never imagined his status was *this* high!

So high that she could only gaze up at him from afar—a chasm in status that she could likely never cross, not even in a dozen lifetimes.

At this moment, she was so excited her heart felt like it was about to leap out of her chest.

She had originally thought that Bai Chaosi’s name was just a coincidence, the same as that genius young master.

But she never expected that he *was* the Young Master of the Nine-tailed White Foxes, the world-renowned, the astonishing Young Master Chaoxi!!

She fought to suppress the urge to jump for joy, her face flushing with excitement as she gazed at the man before her.

But Bai Chaosi, seemingly oblivious to Xiao Ya’s trembling excitement, said calmly:

”Thank you for your concern, City Lord. The Young Master is well. I am merely a subordinate to the Young Master; there is no need for you to be so formal, City Lord!”

Just as Hu Tu was about to offer more compliments, a nearby attendant glanced toward the three figures of Shen Yue, Huang Ziyue, and their companion in the crowd.

He immediately turned to Hu Tu and said nervously:

”City Lord, the people from the Flood Dragon Clan have arrived!”

Hu Tu’s gaze immediately shifted to the three people at the back of the crowd.

He hurriedly descended the steps with a solemn expression, and the crowd parted to make way for him as he approached.

No one understood why the City Lord, who on a normal day rarely even stepped out of the City Lord Mansion’s gates, would so readily walk down those steps.

And now, as Hu Tu approached with an excited expression...

Suddenly, the trio of Shen Yue and her companions, who had been obscured by the crowd, came into everyone’s view.

The three figures, each with an extraordinary air, were like the most eye-catching scenery on the street.

Especially the person hidden beneath a dark red cloak. Though completely covered, their tall, slender figure and frigid aura were enough to make one shiver with a single glance.

That ”do not approach” air about them made the crowd retreat even further.

The woman standing beside him, dressed in simple red robes with her face veiled in red gauze, was also striking. Although her face was hidden, the pair of eyes she revealed were as breathtaking and soul-stealing as a sea of stars.

The crowd dared not make a sound, merely holding their breath as they watched Hu Tu approach with cautious deference.

Then, he bowed to the man at the front of the trio, who was wearing a wide-brimmed hat:

”I have made you three esteemed guests wait. It is Hu Tu’s negligence. I beg your forgiveness, honored guests!”

Wu Huo, standing in front of Shen Yue and Huang Ziyue, took off his wide-brimmed hat, revealing a handsome, cold, and resolute face.

The pair of Flood Dragon Horns that signified his identity also burst into the crowd’s view.

In an instant, gasps were heard from the surrounding crowd:

”It’s the Flood Dragon Clan!”

”My heavens, those are Flood Dragon Horns! I’m not seeing things, am I?”

”I can’t believe it! To think I’d get to see a noble member of the Flood Dragon Clan in my lifetime! I can die without regrets!”

”Such a powerful aura! This is the presence of the strongest of the Beast Clans! I can feel it!”

Wu Huo, standing at the front, was playing the part of their master under Shen Yue’s and Huang Ziyue’s instructions. He spoke:

”You are too kind, Hu City Lord. Please, rise.”

Hu Tu straightened up, obviously a little nervous. He felt a sudden chill run down his spine, especially when he met the icy gaze of Huang Ziyue behind Wu Huo.

Wu Huo continued, ”I am but an unaffiliated wanderer of the Flood Dragon Clan. This trip is merely to travel and experience the culture of Ye Country. I am no one important, so there is no need for such ceremony, City Lord!”

Hearing this, Hu Tu remained as respectful as ever:

”Your Excellency is too modest! On the Beast World Continent, the Flood Dragon is the most venerated of the Beast Clans. For a hundred years, none of us have seen a member of the Flood Dragon Clan leave Ancient Dragon Castle. For Your Excellency to travel to my Ye Country now is a great fortune for both Li City and Ye Country!”

”And for a minor figure like me to have the honor of meeting Your Excellency... I never would have dreamed of it! I am truly overjoyed! It is a fortune of three lifetimes!”

Hu Tu was bursting with joy as he spoke, so excited he was practically dancing on the spot.

It was as if seeing a member of the Flood Dragon Clan was like seeing the Beast God himself; he looked like he wanted nothing more than to kneel and worship.

Shen Yue stood beside Huang Ziyue, raising an eyebrow as she sized up the stout man in front of her who wasn’t even as tall as she was.

Watching his beast ears twitch and tremble with excitement, the corner of her mouth twitched.

’This Hu Tu City Lord may not look very presentable, but his way of handling people is certainly smooth.’

’His words were filled with nothing but humility and flattery. For a moment, she couldn’t tell if he was just putting on an act, or if he was genuinely excited and happy.’